Patricia Quirk

Patricia Quirk (Kelly) Patricia Louise Quirk passed away peacefully on April 26th. Throughout her life, Patricia brought a positivity and single-minded determination to everything she did - be it raising children or creating art - that allowed her to achieve her desired outcomes simply through sheer force of will. It was this same positivity, determination, and willpower she brought to her 3-year battle against ovarian cancer, which eventually took her life on Thursday. Patricia, better known as Pat or Patty, was born in Akron on July 15th, 1949. She attended St. Sebastian School, graduated from Buchtel High School in 1968, and also attended the University of Akron. Pat was preceded in death by her mother and father, Martha and William Kelly. She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Frank Quirk, her daughter Elizabeth (Tim) Sheeler, son Michael (Ilenia Pezzaniti) and step-son John. She is also survived by her sister Karen (Ken) Krowne and her brother Daniel (Dianne) Kelly. Pat will be missed by her entire family and her many, many friends, but especially by her beloved grandchildren, Claire and Will Sheeler, who will always remember their devoted and fun-loving Nana. Throughout her life, Pat was committed to community service, volunteering countless hours to a number of Akron area organizations, including Blessings in a Backpack and the Stan Hywet Needlework Guild. As a young mother living in Silver Lake with her family, she was a Village Councilwoman and President of both the Garden Club and the Historical Society. She continued to be active in the community by joining the Junior League of Akron and The Women's Board of Akron Childrens Hospital, where she filled several leadership roles. Pat took great pride in rejoining the workforce in 2006, mastering the major new technologies that had arrived after her last employment. She served as Operations Manager at Northwestern Mutual of Akron, earning the prestigious national Northwestern Mutual Commitment to Excellence Award in 2010. While working, she was honored to be selected as a member of Leadership Akron NEXT Class 4. Pat was known by many as an artist with unparalleled creativity and attention to detail. She began her creative ventures working with miniatures, then moving on to intricately crafted miniature Christmas trees, for which she is best known. Her expertise was such that she became the judge of the miniature trees submitted to the Childrens Hospital Tree Festival. Many families treasure the trees that Pat designed and customized for them, and one of her trees is on display at Childrens Hospital. Pat's work was also profiled in an Akron Beacon Journal feature article. Seeking a new artistic challenge, Pat recently began designing and making jewelry: necklaces and bracelets in intricate and colorful designs. The further development of her craft was cut short by the illness that took her life. Her kindness, generosity and boundless positivity surrounded her with many friends and often inspired others. Pat will be remembered for her amazing spirit and determination in fighting her ovarian cancer, all while creating awareness through her experience so that others don't struggle with that same terrible disease. Calling hours will be held from 4pm to 7pm on Tuesday, May 1 at Hummel Funeral Home, COPLEY, 3475 Copley Road. A celebration of life and a luncheon will be held at Portage Country Club, 240 North Portage Path, on Wednesday, May 2 at noon. Persons desiring to honor Pat's memory and legacy may contribute to the Ovarian Research Fund Alliance by mail to Post Office Box 32141, New York, New York, 10087-2141 or online at https://ocrfa.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/